Sustainable engineering is examined, starting with an analysis of resources, (materials, energy, water) upon which manufacturing is based. Each resource is critically examined in terms of its availability and form and the ultimate impact of its usage on the state of theplanet. A comparison of the design and construction of contemporary and primitive structure is used to illustrate the differences between the required infrastructure and environmental footprint, leading to a definition of 'green' design. The technologies required to support contemporary lifestyles in the developed and the developing world are discussed within the context of manufacturing techniques, usage of natural resources and the generation of waste. Workshops, guest lectures and a term project incorporating the concepts of minimalism, materials usage, and aesthetic design are used to present students with a unique perspective engineering.