As I've mentioned, I like parts of both the Warre and Langstroth hive systems. So even though we're currently converting our colony from the former to the latter, I'm not ready to throw in the towel on Warre methods. Here are some Warre components I'm considering incorporating into our new system:

• The insulated "quilt" box. I can't see anything not to love about helping the hive retain heat in the winter by adding a layer of insulation on top. However, straw doesn't seem to be the best filler material since it breeds ants. I'm thinking of transferring over to a sheet of solid styrofoam insulation in the next iteration of the hive.
• Leaving the bees alone as much as possible. In all honesty, I suspect this is why bees survive so well in Warre hives, and I hope to maintain hands-off methods despite returning to Langstroth boxes.
• Nadiring instead of supering. I'm undecided on this one. On the one hand, nadiring makes it possible for me not to disrupt the hive while still knowing when the bees need more space, since the empty box is just above the screened bottom board and can be examined photographically. On the other hand, nadiring becomes physically difficult once a hive reaches a certain size, and one of the reasons to return to the Langstroth hive is to get more (heavy) honey. I suspect I might use the modified Warre method of nadiring the first box or two in the spring, then supering for later honey flows.

By the way, I should mention that the primary reason we're converting our Warre hive back to Langstroth is because both places we ordered bees from this year fell through. One company changed their shipping method to the US Postal Service (which I'm okay with) but refused to insure the bees traveling that way (which I'm not okay with). The other company pushed back their shipping date twice and then threw in the towel and said they wouldn't be sending out bees at all this year. Two refunds behind me, I figured I'd better focus on the hive I have on hand. Maybe next year we'll be able to expand our apiary and will be able to put what I'm learning this year to use!