BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE I have always searched for ways to better manage stress. Previously, I have focused the majority of my attention on work. This created a deficiency in other aspects of my life like fun, community, and relaxation. Practicing yoga over the past few years has created a new balance in my life. While I was thinking of a topic to explore for my thesis, stress was at the forefront of my mind. Stress is something everyone encounters and not everyone manages. If an architectural environment can play a role in stress management, many lives will be improved.