Air dome
Large clear-span pressurised enclosure with membrane, plant, backup, anchoring, entrances and internal services treated as one engineered facility system.
Saudi Arabia / Decision guide
Air dome, clear-span structure or permanent sports building?
The three pathways can all create covered sports capacity, but they differ in permanence, services, envelope behaviour and local works. The operating model should choose the structure, not the other way around.
Destination-specific planning Manual project review Exact-system evidence only
Direct answer
The short version.
Use an air dome when a pressurised clear-span enclosure and project-specific plant strategy suit the facility; SARENTA when a lightweight structural hall or cover is the stronger route; and a permanent building when the project needs a conventional long-life building shell and full building-services integration.
Project decision
Separate the pathways before asking for pricing.
These comparisons are designed to narrow the project route. They do not replace local engineering, authority review or exact-system technical evidence.
SARENTA
Lightweight clear-span structure route for covered courts, sports halls and multipurpose facilities without the same continuous air-support operating model.
Permanent building
Conventional large-structure route where the project needs a long-life building shell, higher service integration and locally coordinated construction interfaces.
Comparison matrix
Covered-sports pathways
Final engineering and authority requirements remain local.
| Factor | Air dome | SARENTA | Permanent building |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Air-supported membrane | Lightweight clear-span frame | Engineered building shell |
| Plant dependence | Core | Lower / system-specific | Building-services dependent |
| Permanence | Seasonal / longer-term project pathway | Temporary / semi-permanent / permanent by system | Permanent |
| Typical use | Large court / field enclosure | Courts / halls / covers | Full sports building |
Project brief
Information worth collecting before quotation.
01City + site
02Sports + court count
03Covered footprint
04Clear height
05Heat / dust / wind criteria
06Occupancy + operating hours
07HVAC / ventilation strategy
08Power + backup
09Foundations
10Local contractor / EPC
Frequently asked
Keep the destination and scope explicit.
Does Apollo recommend one system for every Saudi sports project?
No. The decision page is a shortlisting tool. Final suitability depends on the actual site, use, dimensions, exposure, selected system, available evidence and local project requirements.
Who handles local engineering, approvals and installation?
Apollo is supply-led. Local engineering, approvals, foundations, services, installation and other site works remain with the appointed local project team unless a written project scope expressly includes something different.
Is pricing calculated automatically from this guide?
No. Apollo uses a manual project-brief process so the selected system, quantities, destination, freight and project interfaces are reviewed before pricing.
Next step
Turn the shortlist into a destination-specific brief.
Send the site, dimensions, use, quantities, exposure information and known local requirements. Apollo can then review the relevant systems, evidence, freight and supply scope.