Khepri: A Modern Lighting Unit Inspired by Ancient Egyptian Mythology

Designed by Hisham Elessawy, Khepri Brings Ancient Symbolism to Contemporary Lighting

Hisham Elessawy, a designer from the Cairo-based HEDS Design Studio, found inspiration in the ancient Egyptian scarab god Khepri. The Egyptians associated the scarab's movement of rolling dung into a ball and pushing it to its burrow with the sun's movement across the sky. This connection led to the belief that Khepri pushes the sun into the sky every morning and back to the underworld in the evening. This concept of transitioning from darkness to light is the core inspiration behind the Khepri lighting unit.

What sets Khepri apart from other lighting units is its unique design and functionality. It serves as both a floor lamp and a pendant, embodying the Khepri concept. A simple touch activates the light, symbolizing the transition from darkness to light. The lamp's design evolved from the Egyptian scarab shape, equipped with a dimmable LED regulated by a touch sensor switch that offers three adjustable brightness settings.

The Khepri lighting unit was realized by the HEDS Design Studio, known for their innovative product designs. The technical specifications of the design include a floor light height of 1500 mm and a base diameter of 500 mm. The pendant light stands at a height of 700 mm with a base diameter of 300 mm. The materials used are metal and glass, and the LED bulb is a 14W bulb equivalent to a 100W, requiring 80 to 90 percent less energy to run at the same rate.

The design process involved extensive research into the ancient Egyptian belief in Khepri's ability to renew life. The challenge lay in integrating ancient Egyptian beliefs with a modern style. The complex form of the scarab beetle was abstracted to its minimal form, representing the rebirth of light from the heart of Khepri's darkness in a modern lighting unit.

Khepri's design excellence was recognized with a Silver A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award in 2021. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. Khepri, with its unique blend of ancient symbolism and modern design, truly embodies these characteristics.