i hate cats!
every time i go near one i get a cold! some people dread alergies, i like mine!
i have other opinnions about cats too but i wont get started in that!
as far as the room goes just do what the room will let you and what you want to do
i have never heard of putting celing tiles on you bench but that sounds like a good idea, as long as they arent those insulation ones!
and as far as glass goes, you cant put any pins or anything in it and hope you dont hit it with a hammer or slip with a screw driver! i would stick to ply wood but thats me