When Jane Howze and John Mann hired University of Houston professor and architect Robert Griffin to design their dream home in Tanglewood in 1998, they never imagined what would happen to the sleepy, oak-shrouded neighborhood. The past several years have seen a building boom of behemoth houses that all but swallow the lots, which were once considered beyond ample.

Walk through: The first step through the doors of this contemporary house transports us from H-Town to California. The U-shaped form embraces an interior courtyard that is all but consumed by a long rectangular pool flanked by formal landscaping. Pella double-pane windows and sliding doors allow for opening the entire house on those rare days when the weather is perfect.

From the entry, hang a left to the master wing where a serene monochromatic palette unites dressing area, big closets, bath and bedroom. The master overlooks the pool courtyard, as does practically every room in the house.

Turning right from the entry, we begin an odyssey that takes us to a comfy media room featuring a gas-burning fireplace. From there, the partially-open plan extends from the living room with a dramatic two-story vaulted ceiling, through the vast kitchen on to a family room and then down a hall to two bedrooms. One of those serves as a guest room, the other as an exercise room with full views of the pool area.

The second floor houses two ample guest bedrooms with full baths and plenty of closet/storage space.

Love it: Imported Bulgarian limestone gives a rich warmth to flooring throughout most of the house.

Updating: The bathrooms, while in beautiful condition, look outdated.

Love the lot: You just can't beat the finesse that a corner lot brings to residential esthetics and this one at the intersection of Doliver and Sherbrooke is 22,130 square feet.

Square footage: 6,257

Asking price: $2.6 million

Listing agent: Richard Ray of Heritage Texas Properties