 In 1914–1916 Alexander and Victor built the landmark neoclassical Sirotkin House in Nizhny Novgorod with elaborate internal paintings by Alexander.At the same time they collaborated with avant-garde artists Alexander Rodchenko and Vladimir Tatlin; the latter was initially Alexander's partner on Sirotkin House project but dropped out to pursue his futuristic experiments.By the time of the February Revolution Alexander was finally drafted but soon demobilized as the Imperial Army fell apart.