In the mid-1930s, after constructivism was smashed and the brand new philosophy of architecture was proclaimed in the Soviet Russia, Iakov Chernikhov, like many others, was subject to a slashing criticism. His books were withdrawn from libraries and those already in printing shop never went out.


Nevertheless, Iakov Chernikhov preserved his ability to generate new ideas. 1934–1946 saw his new series — and this time indeed in Piranesi style — Architecture of Palaces, Architectural Ensembles, Architecture of the Future, Architecture of Bridges, and Palaces of Communism. In these series he examines not only the image of architecture of the new epoch, but the issue of the architectural ensemble forming.


"Architecture as an art of 3-D forms, as a permanently visible and tangible image makes a powerful factor of convincing propaganda of great communist ideas. That is why in designed buildings I tried to show those tremendous transformations of the mankind, which for the first time in the peoples' history got objectified in our socialist country."


"Alongside with the fact that I engage all wealth of the past, but in its new interpretation, I try to find a new style, new architectural forms and new ways to reflect creative imaginations in unison with our soviet socialistic reality. That's why I focused on the architectural fantasies, because I believe that only this way there is an opportunity to solve such difficult and responsible problem as to express the ideology of construction..."


In 1943, when after defeat of the fascist troops under Stalingrad, the Union of Architects arranged a contest for construction of monuments to heroes of the war, Iakov Chernikhov created his design-and-graphic suite Pantheons of the Great Patriotic War, which embodied tragedy and greatness of Russia in the World War II. For the contest Iakov Chernikhov prepared 9 Pantheon projects-perspectives, created in unusual for the author format 900 x 1200 mm and developed a detailed Pantheon programme, planned as a grand museum. After the war the number of projects exceeded 50.

Versions of the Pantheons were developing in various projections thematically and compositionally (front elevations, section drawings and general plans) for the hero-cities Moscow, Leningrad, Stalingrad, Sevastopol, Kiev, Minsk and Odessa. Iakov Chernikhov also created a number of the Pantheon projects, which is a heroic table-tomb of commanders and heroes of the Great Patriotic War.


"Heroism of people and certain sons of the country will awake an echo in the hearts of architects, who will capture these heroic acts in visible, grand constructions of monuments, pantheons, memorials, triumphal arches and other worthy architectural pieces of art... And each of us must to the full of his talents create the best, do his best".