This article presents a comparative analysis between ideas of the HfG Ulm and the contemporary understanding of Sustainable Design. The Ulmer institution, through an innovative curriculum, an articulated discourse and a significant set of projects, manifested an avant la lettre awareness of social and environmental issues. Through a series of case studies, the research looks at the School’s approach to design problems, focusing on the design for transportation and systems. The purpose is to identify whether the concepts of Sustainable Design were present in these earlier developments. Considering the impact of its legacy, we propose the HfG as a predecessor of an understanding of design that, from its conception, is respectful towards the environment, seeks social equality and aims for society’s improvement. A broader perspective will enable more accurate work in design projects with a Sustainable perspective: recovering valuable practices from the past to step purposefully into the future.