University campuses should be the engine of climate innovation and a test platform for ecological innovation and low-carbon design. This study aims to quantify the metabolism process of Cornell campus and investigate the role of energy system optimization and symbiosis network contribution to sustainable campus development. Firstly, this study analyzed the campus metabolism system from a systematic view and quantified the campus system's material, energy, and waste flow. Secondly, this study identified and mapped the renewable energy sources on the campus, proposed a hybrid energy system, and constructed a material and energy symbiosis network to promote material and energy saving in the system. As a key in energy network optimization, an energy supply-demand match has been conducted to promote energy consumption reduction. Finally, the optimized carbon-neutral living laboratory and hybrid energy systems are constrained by minimum economic cost and environmental impacts.