3D Modeling the La Muraja Roha Stairs: Inspired by Squid Game

The recent Netflix hit show Squid Game has captivated audiences around the world with its intense storytelling and striking visuals. One of the most iconic sets featured in the show is the spectacular staircase that players must ascend.

This impressive set piece appears to take inspiration from the famous La Muraja Roha stairs, an architectural marvel located in Spain. In this post, we'll examine how to model the La Muraja Roha stairs in 3D software for fun or for use in film, TV, and games.

Overview of La Muraja Roha

La Muraja Roha, also known as the Red Wall, is an apartment complex built in 1973 in Calpe, Spain. Designed by architect Ricardo Bofill, the building resembles a fortress with its imposing geometric shapes and vibrant red color. The complex contains over 500 apartments, along with amenities like a solarium, sauna, and rooftop swimming pool.

The most striking feature of La Muraja Roha is the expansive staircase connecting the levels of the building. The stairs form a maze-like pattern as they crisscross upwards. There are open areas looking down into lower levels, creating stunning visual depth. The La Muraja Roha stairs have become an iconic architectural feat, garnering comparisons to M.C. Escher's impossible constructions.

Step-by-Step Rhino and V-Ray Tutorial

To mimic the look of the La Muraja Roha stairs, we can follow this step-by-step tutorial using Rhino3D and V-Ray rendering software:

• Gather reference images and diagrams. Look for top-down views and section drawings showing the basic layout. Photos capturing textures and lighting are also helpful.
• Build a 2D floorplan. Draw guidelines in Rhino's Top view, then use surfaces to create the overall footprint. Add details like doorways and railings.
• Extrude surfaces into 3D. Switch to Perspective mode and extrude surfaces upwards to generate stairs, walls, railings, etc. Refine shapes as needed.
• Add supportive geometry. Build surrounding structures, windows, ledges, etc. to match reference images. This adds realism and visual interest.
• Dial in camera angle and lenses. Position the camera to match the desired shot. Set lens length, the depth of field, and adjust the angle until close to the reference.
• Apply materials and textures. Use provided libraries or custom shaders. Ensure UV mapping is properly configured. Add some imperfection.
• Light the scene. Utilize dome lights, directional sunlight, and image-based lighting for highlights and shadows.
• Render final shots with V-Ray's render engine. Export image sequences or video as desired.
• Post-process if needed in Photoshop or other software. Color correct, touch up artifacts, etc.

Following these steps, we can build a digital version of the La Muraja Roha stairs as seen in films and shows like Squid Game. The full process from modeling to final rendering can take 1-2 hours for experienced 3D artists. But the striking end result is well worth the effort!

Final Thoughts

Recreating iconic architectural marvels like La Muraja Roha in 3D is an engaging creative challenge. The symmetry and vertigo-inducing stairs make for striking visuals. With the right reference materials and methodical workflow, we can digitally mimic these one-of-a-kind structures.

Next time you watch a show like Squid Game, keep an eye out for impressive sets and think about how you might model them yourself. Reach out in the comments if you try modeling the La Muraja Roha stairs or any other famous architecture.