Modernism Through the Lens of Jacques Tati’s Playtime and Jacques Lacan’s Modules on the Structure of the Psyche

The modernist era brought forth new forms and designs that ignored any tradition, with architecture at the forefront of change, especially post World War II. But with these changes came a dismissal of human needs, and a systemization of human beings within the built environment. One excellent example that examines the failings of Modern Architecture is “Learning from Las Vegas” which concurs that the modernist approach to architecture, which prioritized functionality and efficiency, led to an environment that failed to meet the needs of its users Venturi, et al. (1972). Modern Architecture's impact on the human psyche is examined, furthermore, through the lens of Jacques Tati's Playtime and Jacques Lacan's three orders. The conceptual background of Modern Architecture is delved into, with the focus of its focus on efficiency, functionality, and order, demonstrating how the quest for order dismissed the human needs’ importance, leaving the individuals who willingly conformed to be lost in a sea of cubicles made of concrete and steel. These willing conformists are examined and understood through William H. Whyte’s book the Organization Man; hence, transitioning from Modern Architecture to Psychology. According to Lacan, three orders govern our perception of the world and are the recipe to the human psyche; these orders are: the Imaginary Order deals with the realm of images and perceptions, the Symbolic Order with language and cultural symbols, and the Real Order with the inexplicability of complexity of the human experience due to the insufficiency of the human language. The study concludes with the importance of integrating the three orders into architectural design, emphasizing the significance of considering the human psyche in Modern Architecture. This study enriches our understanding of modernism and highlights the crucial role of the psyche in architecture. Keywords: city identity, buffer zone, divided cities, physical environment, socioeconomic environment.