Society utilizes space as a tool to distance its most challenging and difficult citizens. In examining the question, “How can architecture influence the re-establishment of psychiatric stability in the mentally ill?”, the understanding of spacial issues and how the users interact with the space can better the understanding of psychiatric facilities and the environment. Once the interaction is understood, the challenge of creating spaces that better addresses the user's needs can be applied as a solution to the situation. The premise of this dissertation is to explore the relationship between architecture, the space that architecture creates, the manner in which the mentally ill interact and react to space defined environments, and the impact of space on the treatment of the mentally ill. The need for psychiatric facilities has not decreased. South Dakota currently houses a state psychiatric facility on the eastern side of the state. To better accomodate the state's patients and the surrounding area, this thesis proposes a satellite facility in Rapid City, on the western side. Research conducted will support the theoretical premise and unifying idea in a quantitative and qualitative manner.