Space stations absolutely (often) do use variable layout. I think it's in "Gamer's End" that it's made explicit that the Citadel of Eyes, which is a space station in geosynchronous orbit over a planet I don't think I ever named, uses variable layout. And I can't remember where, but parts of Kel Academy Prime, which is on a planet, also use variable layout. Handwave handwave it requires a power generator of some sort plus whatever programming to keep the whole thing sorted; so it's an exotic technology, but it's not moth-dependent.

If you have other questions about specifics I will do my best to answer them. :)