A new panoramic view of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez is introduced to an existing hillside residence. The additional extensions expand the residence to 5,000 sq ft. The original intention of the 2,500 sq ft home might have been to deny itself a relationship with nature. Walls rose vertically and pretentiously disregarding the surrounding mountainside. Tiny existing porthole windows acted more as medieval turrets. The result is a constrained and confined space.  Existing conditions expose a non-relationship with nature. Rejecting the outside  environment produces a confined dwelling. Intervention is necessary and critical.  A “dwelling bridge” between nature and man made elements re-opens a dialogue formally denied.
The dwelling bridges frame the ground and sky simultaneously. The denial of direct connection to the hillside captures the ground and sky relieving pressure from the landscape. Vertical to horizontal reconnects an intimacy and relationship with ground, dwelling, and sky. Each playing a role in redefining themselves. The engine of the house remains grounded while two bridges stretch out over rugged desert mountain side, lightly touching the terrain.