'architecturesque' originates from the modern English noun 'architecture' combined with the French-derived adjectival suffix '-esque', where '-esque' meant 'in the style of' or 'resembling'.

'architecture' comes from Latin 'architectura', ultimately from Greek 'arkhitekton' (from 'arkhi-' meaning 'chief' and 'tekton' meaning 'builder'); the suffix '-esque' entered English via French (from Italian/French suffixes) and was attached to nouns to form adjectives meaning 'in the manner of'.

Initially, 'architecture' referred to the art and practice of designing buildings (from the idea of a 'master builder'), and '-esque' meant 'in the style of'; together they evolved to form a rare adjective meaning 'in the style of or reminiscent of architecture' rather than indicating a literal building.