Well as I said it wasn't particularly close when you drive up to Reception (detailed in the book).
Ok, the level of scientists and the great work they do is probably accurate. The book gives in impression of a grand entrance, lots of glass, light, lifts .. certainly when he describes the wheelchair zooming across it.
It's not. It's a small concrete building, the main lobby of which is about the size of a large living room with a reception desk and a counter for selling merchandise. If you go downstairs from this (one floor) you get the Visitors Centre.