Regarding the article Steel Giraffe - gCaptain - looks like a good idea, and the flexibility seems excellent - but I’m wondering about a confined workspace with a single (small) exit at one end and no (visible) fire suppression system? I would think that scientific experiments could well involve hazardous/flammable materials and ignition sources, so fire might be a real concern under some conditions.
Those are great question. Its not a new idea, purpose built shipping container workshop/labs have been used in the mining industry for years. If this was a particularly fatal problem I would suspect that it would have been discovered in that application.
edit: this is a known problem and appropriate design considerations must be used.