Designed in the 1970s by the visionary Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill, the Alicante building is not only a dream destination for architects and photographers, but now it’s also a magnet for fans of the hit Netflix series.
If you thought the ‘Squid Game’ phenomenonwas entirely inspired by South Korea, prepare yourself for an unexpected twist… The famous Netflix series, whose secondseason has recently been released, has highlighted a colourful setting that seems to have been taken from the most creative minds of the Asian peninsula – but perhaps it was inspired by a Spanish design.
In the town of Calpe, on the coast of Alicante, La Muralla Roja, is a building that seems to have copied the colourful scenery of the series.
Designed in the 1970s by the visionary architect Ricardo Bofill, this building is not only a dream for architects and photographers, but also a magnet for fans of the series and the real locations who want to feel like they are on their way to one of the deadly sets (although here the greatest danger would be getting lost among the staircases).
With its 50 private flats, secret courtyards and interconnected narrow streets, The Red Wall is inspired by Arab and Mediterranean architecture. But what really makes it stand out is its colour palette: pastel pinks and blues that look like they were made for Instagram.
The trick? According to the experts, the colours highlight the reliefs and create fascinating shadows, giving the building a surreal air. A bit like the series, it’s hard to believe that the South Korean government doesn’t account for the disappearance of at least 455 people (since one of them wins the prize) on an annual basis.
But don’t get too excited, because getting in is not that easy. While you won’t be kidnapped, this architectural oasis on the edge of the cliff is privately owned (from which you can rent a house via AirBnB), so only one of the flats is open to the public. But there’s nothing to stop you from wandering around and capturing those dreamlike sea views.
Although it has always been a popular place, success came with ‘The Squid Game’. The creators of the series may have taken inspiration from constructions like this for their sets (although it’s not officially confirmed), and the result has been (and is) a pilgrimage of fans looking to recreate the experience… without the mortal perils and without the financial prize, of course.
From Netflix series to video games
And as if its architectural fame and stardom in ‘The Squid Game’ weren’t enough, The Red Wall has also conquered the world of video games. It turns out that the Ustwo studio was inspired by this iconic building to bring the second instalment of its hit game ‘Monument Valley’ to life. The result? A visual puzzle that combines dreamy architecture and geometric settings that look like they came straight from the mind of a designer with too much coffee.
In Monument Valley 2, the protagonist is Ida, a princess who traverses impossible landscapes that would make any GPS sweating. And of course, the developers couldn’t find a better muse than The Red Wall to give her that magical, mysterious air and, why not, a touch of why does getting lost work here?
So, if you visit Calpe and see someone in a pink jumpsuit, a green tracksuit or a suit-wearing, briefcase-wearing gentleman offering to play a similar version of Ddjaki, don’t be alarmed: it’s probably just another excited tourist. Just make sure you don’t get lost in the stairwell or end up in a secret courtyard– and don’t forget to take a photo for social media!
Source: Euro News
