The building was designed by the Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, cost 67 million euros[1] and was realised in a project partnership with the Lörrach-based architectural firm Mayer Bährle.

The approximately 9000 square metre exhibition is divided into the main themes of ‘Life, Vision, Energy, Dynamics, Sense, Maths’.

In addition to the large exhibition, phaeno also offers workshops and training courses for schoolchildren, educators and teachers.

These are demonstrations with live experiments that represent a specific topic, e.g. the laser, air, mechanics, water or even fire show[5].

Translated with DeepL.com (free version) Preliminary planning began in November 1998, and one year later Joe Ansel, an American consultant and designer, was approached to handle the exhibitions and other operational aspects of the project.

An architectural design competition was held in January 2000 and the prominent architect Zaha Hadid won, in conjunction with structural engineers, Adams Kara Taylor.

The Science Center has a theme song, "Phaenomenal," which was written and performed by American singer/songwriter Amanda Somerville for the opening.

The Phaeno appears in the movie The International (2009) as headquarters of an Italian weapons company - digitally inserted in front to a cliff at the Iseo Lake.