The focus of this thesis is an inquiry into the paradigm of sustainability. A counterpoint that emerges from this inquiry is a reflection on unsustainability. The study revisits proposals for utopian societal models with the aim of developing an interface with the ideals of sustainability. We analyze discursive forms from the sustainability model, as well as its practices, exercised through social and environmental accountability.The thesis examines the corporate discourse of sustainability as framed by companies operating in the market economy and its interface with Design. In this context, we present the issues underlying participation by community associations in the capitalist productive model governed by flexibilization.Through the unfolding of this contemporary scenario, we develop reflections on different forms of intervention by Design, focusing on a social design model.