cost efective ways of buidling a new unit? ideas please

hello,

are there more cost effective ways to build a unit. ie using different materials, other than bricks?

Alternatives like the following are interesting.
http://www.bobvila.com/articles/316-home-sweet-container/pages/1

there is also a company that created small self contained units and ships them fully furnished, i believe there is a project i heard about 1-2 yrs ago ragarding a high rise being constructed of these close to a university for student accomodation