  We consider fermions propagating in the bulk of the geometry found by
deforming AdS, in 5 dimensions, via the back reaction of a scalar field upon
the metric. This space is AdS for r asymptotically large (in the UV) but goes
through a transition at a point, into another AdS space with different
curvature in the IR. Masses are generated for these fermions via electroweak
symmetry breaking, by coupling them to a VEV on the IR boundary. We calculate
the mass spectrum in four dimensions, comparing approximate results and results
found by solving the full system of bulk equations and boundary conditions. We
consider the effect on the mass of the light modes of various parameters,
including the curvature of the space in the IR. This information is then used
to reproduce the mass hierarchy between the top and bottom. By assuming
universality of the gauge coupling, we find bounds on the allowed bulk masses
of the right--handed fermion fields. We look for solutions that satisfy these
bounds in a number of different scenarios and find that, for given choices of
the other parameters in this model, the IR curvature has a significant
influence on whether these bounds can be satisfied or not.
