Maybe it is a mistake to always focus on it as a very negative thing

Benadetta Tagliabue

Ms Tagliabue, who was also Mr Miralles' business partner, has been largely responsible for leading the design team since his sudden death in March.

She said that the project is on time, but warned that further changes could lead to problems.

A report on Tuesday indicated that the Holyrood project could still go over the �195m budge agreed by MSPs because they had not included landscaping and road costs in the final figure.

Ms Tagliabue said: "I think it is important to understand more what a public building is about than focusing always on the negativity of a thing.

"In a way you can be proud of spending a lot of money on something that you will love and you will be proud about.

Benadetta Tagliabue: "Hopes and happiness"

"So maybe it is a mistake to always focus on it as a very negative thing.

"In a way it means that Scotland is making a big effort and is trying to change in a better way."

She expressed sorrow that two of the key visionaries of the project - her husband Mr Miralles and former first minister Donald Dewar - are no longer alive.

She said: "I think he would say very much about the desire of both of them on this building.

"I think Donald Dewar was really putting a lot of hopes and happiness in this project and Enric was doing the same.

"Also, because Enric was in a way responding, we were also responding to this request, which was really a request of a gift for Scotland and it is a real disaster that the two protagonists are not there.

"Really, I hope we will do it in a fantastic way reminding both of them."