If I understand correctly the change of layout is effective until next change, it's a configuration change by an admin.

There is also a need for a much more dynamic approach where a portlet requires entering in a complex mode with specific layout in the page. It is unclear whether or not any version will support that.

Generally speaking it is hard to understand the layout feature without any white paper - it deals with region decoration, portlet decoration and requires other things such as sizes and resize features, autofit etc...

my 2 cents dear fellows