It was intended as an iconic building that would make the Glasgow riverside instantly recognisable around the world. Now it is claimed the “guts are being ripped out” of the city’s planned flagship transport museum because of cost-cutting by the council.

Documents obtained by The Sunday Times reveal the original plan — designed by Zaha Hadid, one of the world’s top architects — is being altered to save millions of pounds on the construction costs.

The move is an attempt to cut the soaring expense of the project, which has risen from £50m to £74m.

The futuristic building features a pleated and curved roof of anodised aluminium and glass facades to the front and rear with striking views of the river.

However, Glasgow city council, the developer of the project, is introducing a process known as “value engineering”, which involves using cheaper materials, to cut the cost of the entrance lobby and ceilings.

“A number of potential cost savings have been identified and a further round of value engineering has been initiated to help offset the impact of any potential future cost pressures,” a council report states. “The potential savings identified to date are within the secondary steelwork and ceiling, inner-lining work packages and entrance lobbies.”

It has provoked anger from architectural critics and councillors who fear the cost-cutting strategy will compromise Hadid’s vision for the showpiece project, which is due to open in 2011.

David Meikle, a Tory councillor and member of Glasgow council’s finance, corporate and trading services committee, said he was unaware of the plan and would demand answers from the council.

“I am very concerned that these changes will have a detrimental impact on the quality of the museum,” he said.

“I’ve attended every meeting and this is the first I’ve heard about it. This building should be an icon, and to cut costs would be unfortunate.”

Gavin Stamp, an architect-ural historian and writer, said the council should have realised when it commissioned Hadid, 57, that her complex designs almost always run over budget.

Hadid designed the 17,500-seat Aquatics Centre for London, a landmark venue being constructed for the 2012 Olympics. The original price tag of £75m has more than quadrupled to about £300m.

Times Recommends

• Catalogue of failings ‘leaves others at risk’
• Tourists told to stay away amid Venice floods
• Google generation has no need for rote learning